Frequently Asked Questions — Tucson Food Tours

Our tours include 6–7 locally owned restaurant stops (depending on the route), with generous tastings that are enough for a full meal. Along the way, you’ll also experience Tucson’s history, murals, and culture—making this much more than just a food tour. Our shorter food tour routes will have at least 4 food stops.

We are Tucson’s original food tour (est. 2012) and consistently ranked the #1 tour in Tucson and locally owned. We offer more food, more stops, and more fun—all while supporting locally owned restaurants.

We don’t list every stop ahead of time so we can keep the experience flexible and work with our restaurant partners. Rest assured, all stops are locally owned and carefully curated.

We get this question quite often, so we appreciate the opportunity to clarify. There are now several food tour companies operating in Tucson, which can sometimes create confusion for guests researching tours online. Tucson Food Tours is Tucson’s original and #1 ranked food tour, operating since 2012. We are the only locally owned, veteran and first-responder owned food tour company in the city. Our owners have a long history working in the restaurant and hospitality industry, which allows us to create authentic relationships with local restaurants and showcase Tucson’s food scene in a meaningful way. Our tours are known for offering generous food portions, engaging storytelling, local history, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Many guests say they leave feeling like they’ve experienced Tucson through the eyes of a local. Because Tucson Food Tours has built a strong reputation over the last 14+ years, we do see some confusion in the marketplace. Some tour companies may use similar wording or phrases like “Tucson Food Tour(s)” in advertising or marketing. For full transparency, we want guests to know that Tucson Food Tours is the original company that established the food tour experience in Tucson, and we are proud to remain the #1 tour activity in Tucson. If you’re looking for a locally owned, community-focused experience with passionate guides, great food, and a deep connection to Tucson’s restaurants and culture, Tucson Food Tours is the experience that started it all. We also encourage guests to check out our photos, videos, and thousands of reviews online to see why so many visitors and locals consider Tucson Food Tours the original and best food tour in Tucson.

We kindly ask that you wait to shop until after the food tour to ensure we stay on schedule. You’re welcome to revisit your favorite locations or stores at the end of the tour. Our tasting adventures are carefully timed so that we arrive at each location when the food is freshly prepared for participants, making it important to stick to the schedule. Thank you for understanding!

The Tucson Food Tour may not be suitable for all children, especially those with limited attention spans, as the tour involves a lot of standing and walking and can feel lengthy for some. However, if you have a young foodie in your life who enjoys trying new things and learning about history, this could be a great fit for them! Please note that we do not offer discounted tickets for children.

Tucson Food Tours operates a full schedule of our walking food tours from September through May, when Tucson’s weather is ideal for exploring downtown on foot. During this time, guests can choose from multiple routes, including our Downtown Food Tour, 4th Avenue/Main Gate Tour, Mural & History Tour, and more. During the summer months (June through August), Tucson temperatures can exceed 100°F. To ensure the safety and comfort of our guests, we scale our schedule to offer our Sonoran Flavors Food Tour and Progressive Dinner Tour. These experiences are specifically designed with shorter walking distances, indoor stops, and evening timing options to help keep guests as cool as possible while still enjoying Tucson’s incredible food scene. At Tucson Food Tours, guest safety is our top priority, and our seasonal schedule allows us to provide a fun, safe, and comfortable experience year-round.